Buying director

Director | Executive Search & Finance Recruitment Specialist | Building High-Trust Partnerships

Buying Director | Tanners Wines | Shrewsbury

£Negotiable + Car Allowance + Bonus + Private Medical Care + 25 Days Holiday

The Tanners Story

Tanners Wines is one of the UK’s leading independent wines merchants and shippers, established in 1842 recently celebrated its 180th birthday. It is run by James Tanner, Chairman, with the help of an incredibly experienced, passionate team of 110 employees boasting an average tenure of over 12 years. They have been widely acknowledged as one of the very best wine merchants in the country through numerous awards and accolades in recent years. Tanners prides itself on providing outstanding quality of wines supported by excellent customer service with the right ‘personal touch’ and very deep product knowledge.

Today Tanners operates six retail outlets with Shrewsbury at the centre and their reach extending to Chester, Welshpool, Llandudno, Hereford and Bridgnorth. They also have a thriving online business – see www.tanners-wines.co.uk – backed by an expert technical and marketing team. Through the Trades Sales Team, Tanners supplies excellent wines, beers and other beverages to hotels, restaurants, pubs and independent stores. Sales turnover is approximately £25m.

Role Overview

The Buying Director is responsible for shaping and executing the wine buying strategy at Tanners Wines and reports to the Chairman and Managing Director. This senior leadership role involves sourcing exceptional wines and spirits from around the world, maintaining strong relationships with producers, and ensuring the portfolio reflects the company’s values of quality, authenticity and customer delight.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the wine buying strategy aligned with business goals.
• Identify emerging trends, regions, and producers to enhance the portfolio, incorporating market research through connection to Retail and Trade Sales channels.
• Build and maintain long‑term relationships with producers and/or their agents.
• Negotiate pricing, exclusivity, allocations and contributions to product promotional costs.
• Curate a balanced and diverse wine selection across all categories and price points.
• Take a leading role in identifying en primeur offer and securing stock.
• Responsible for product information, compliance and database accuracy.
• New product development and own‑brand re‑design contributor.
• Lead and mentor the buying team, fostering expertise and collaboration.
• Work cross‑functionally with sales, marketing and logistics.
• Manage buying budgets, margins and stock levels.
• Monitor performance of wine ranges and adjust strategy accordingly.
• Participate in tastings, events and educational initiatives to promote the portfolio.
• Represent Tanners Wines as a visitor at key wine fairs and tastings.
• Write captivating text about wines, regions, vintages and travels.

Qualifications, Experience & Personal Attributes

• Proven experience in wine buying, ideally at a senior level.
• Deep understanding of global wine regions, producers, and market trends, especially France.
• Essential language skills: conversational French. Beneficial: Spanish and Italian.
• Strong negotiation and relationship‑building skills.
• WSET Diploma or equivalent wine education preferred.
• Commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Able to travel internationally for sourcing and events.

Applications

Seymour John have been formally retained to support the recruitment process on behalf of Tanners Wines. As such, please direct all correspondence regarding this role to Phil Topper. Any third‑party submissions or applications direct to Tanners Wines will be re‑directed to Seymour John for inclusion in a fair assessment and interview process.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Purchasing

Industries

• Food and Beverage Retail and Wholesale Alcoholic Beverages